UPY 2025

UPY  Compact - Third
'Blue Planet'
Jenny Stock

I don’t often shoot with compact cameras, but I absolutely loved playing with the Insta360 due to its wide scope for creative imagery. Whilst looking through footage I had captured on the liveaboard The Ghazala Explorer, in Egypt, I found a frame that told the story of boat-life, Egyptian reef diving and selfie photography. This split level frame captures the crew on the back of the deck. Moving in, it shows the glistening surface of the water, then dips below to the vibrant coral reef. In the centre - that me, shown capturing the image whilst holding the camera up and half out of the water on a selfie stick. The Insta360 uses software to automatically delete this stick from its footage and photographs. I feel the image is a metaphor of our community; diving in the exciting water bodies of our tiny Blue Planet.

Judge's comment: A truly original image, making use of the latest underwater imaging technology. Another remarkable creative vision from last year's British Underwater Photographer of the Year.

Alex Mustard